Some visas were issued with the explicit mention that people could not submit refugee claims or permanent residency applications. Those visas were signed by the minister. You say that the current minister has not signed any such visas for temporary visitors.
As Mr. St-Cyr pointed out, there are many cases where people come to Canada but wish to return to their country, and have no qualms about committing to do so. Why is the minister so reluctant to issue such visas, which would greatly help those people come to Canada more quickly, especially since they would commit to leaving the country voluntarily?